Highest in History: Women Contesting Constituency Seats

IWDA’s Funding Leadership Opportunities for Women program has worked with women in the lead up to the current Bougainville election in Papua New Guinea, delivering workshops and skill-based training to prepare women to stand for office.

Traditionally, there are three seats in the Bougainville House of Representatives which are reserved for women. However, women are also allowed to run for the open seats – a little known fact in Bougainville. Now more women than ever before are contesting constituency seats in the 2015 election.

IWDA has been recognised for its efforts in an article on the increase of women’s political participation in Bougainville.